France to support Kenyan university attack survivors

By Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya

The French government has announced that it will pay school fees for the survivors of the Garissa University attack in Kenya which claimed the lives of over 140 people on April 2 this year.

Gunmen stormed Garissa University in northern Kenya, killing 148 people -- most of them students. Somali-based al-Qaeda affiliate al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, the French embassy in Kenya said that the students who were maimed both physically and psychologically would also be given a living allowance.

The French embassy said in a statement: "On behalf of the French government Ambassador Remi Marechaux will deliver the aid to the students that were injured during the terrorist attack on Garissa, who so far hadn't received any financial support.

"Each of them will have their school fees covered for one year and will receive a living allowance for day-to-day expenses."

The French government added: "France and Kenya are facing the same enemy: fanaticism and extremism."